How many Aw franchised outlets in Illinois ceased operations for other reasons in 2024?
Aw Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| State | Year | Outlets at Start of Year | Outlets Opened | Terminations | Non- Renewals | Reacquired by Franchisor | Ceased Operations Other Reasons | Outlets at End of the Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 2022 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| 2023 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | |
| 2024 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
Source: Item 20 — OUTLETS AND FRANCHISEE INFORMATION (FDD pages 37–39)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, two Aw franchises in Illinois ceased operations for reasons other than termination, non-renewal, or reacquisition by the franchisor during 2024. At the start of 2024, there were five Aw outlets in Illinois. No new outlets opened during the year, but two ceased operations for other reasons, leaving three outlets at the end of the year.
'Ceased operations for other reasons' typically includes closures due to factors like the franchisee's health issues, failure to meet performance standards, or disputes with landlords. This is distinct from terminations (franchise agreement ended by the franchisor), non-renewals (franchise agreement expired and not renewed), and re acquisitions (franchise bought back by Aw).
For a prospective Aw franchisee, this data highlights the importance of understanding the factors that can lead to a franchise ceasing operations. While terminations and non-renewals might reflect issues with the franchise system itself, 'other reasons' can point to challenges in specific locations or with individual franchisees. Investigating the reasons behind these closures can provide valuable insights into the risks and opportunities associated with owning an Aw franchise in Illinois.